Keeping an eye on the international season ahead, former All England [Images] champion Pullela Gopichand has opted out of the individual events in the Inter-State Zonal and Senior National badminton championships, to be held in Jamshedpur from January 29.

Gopichand, who has been struggling with a spate of injuries since the last couple of years, said he would only play in the team championship for defending champions Petroleum Sports Promotion Board and not take part in the individual events.

Though the 31-year-old did not elaborate on the reasons behind the decision, it is apparent that he does not want to strain himself too much considering the amount of badminton to be played in the season ahead.

Gopichand said he is working to a schedule where he gets rest and also flexes his muscles to the desired and permissible extent.

"This preparation will do for the bigger league ahead," he added.

The Hyderabad shuttler, who was out of action for almost a year before making a winning comeback at the Asian Satellite championship in Hyderabad last October, had also opted to play only the team event in the Petroleum Board's Inter-Unit championship last year and is still to attain full fitness.

But Gopichand is also looking at the Senior Nationals as ideal preparation for the All England Open and the German Open to be held next month.

"I am practising for the ensuing nationals which will also serve as a good ground for the All England Championship and German Open beginning in the last week of February," he said.